Donna Sue Kitterman

Donna Sue Kitterman (Midkiff) passed away peacefully in her home, in her pajamas and fuzzy socks, on September 2, 2025, just a few weeks shy of her 81st birthday.

Born in Topeka, Kansas on September 23 to Donald and Helen Midkiff, she grew up with a sharp wit and a busy mind. After graduating from North Kansas City High School, she earned an associate’s degree in interior design, skills she would later put to work designing her own home in 1979; right down to drawing the furniture, sewing the curtains and planning every last detail.

She spent 15 years with TWA where she met Ed Kitterman, together the couple dedicated their life to foster care. Over the years, more than 80 children passed through her home, each one welcomed with open arms. They adopted two daughters as their own. Maternal and endlessly giving, she poured her energy into making sure every child under her roof felt loved.

Donna was always creative and always in motion: quilting, creating ceramics, painting, arranging flowers and growing roses. Throughout her life, she was an active member of the Clay County Rose Society and later the Kansas City Rose Society. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she filled her yard with over 300 roses, her favorite being yellow or single petal, though her best friend Martha said “Donna never met a rose she didn’t like.”

Her daughters will tell you she was a pistol: hardworking, passionate, detail-oriented, and never shy about her opinions. Connie and Donna were a true mother–daughter team. They shared their own special rhythm of teamwork that made them inseparable. This teamwork shined the brightest when Connie was raising her children alongside Donna who adopted Amber and, at 50 years old, adopted Cheyenne. Donna’s green thumb and affection for Roses was also passed down to Connie who also has a backyard filled with roses. With Cheyenne, Donna’s joy came in two forms: watching her dance and joining in the playful banter. Cheyenne and her friends loved to joke with Donna. She loved it even when she was the butt of the joke; they took great joy in pranking her and she relished every single moment. Donna loved to check the mailbox and find cards from Amber and extravagant gifts like the light up sweaters. Most lovingly, she passed along her ironclad work ethic to her daughters, who proudly carry her spirit forward.

When she wasn’t busy (which, frankly, was hardly ever) Donna loved gathering around the table for board games, card games and poker. It wasn’t about winning or keeping score; it was about laughing, teasing and being surrounded by the people she loved most. The games were just an excuse for togetherness and Donna never missed a chance to be in the middle of it all.

She is survived by her brother Ron Midkiff of Plattsburg, Missouri; daughters Connie Burrow (Todd) of Liberty, Missouri, Cheyenne White (Austin) of Kansas City, Missouri, and Amber Popa (Nick) of Canton, Ohio. Donna was a proud grandmother to Tyler and Hannah Burrow, Ramsey and Kenny White, and Helen Popa.

In her final act of generosity, Donna gifted her body to the KU Willed Body Program, becoming what aspiring doctors call a “first patient,” teaching compassion and anatomy with dignity. This choice held special meaning, as she had bravely battled polio as a child, an early challenge that shaped her compassion to help others. Her gift will live on in the hands and hearts of future medical professionals, guiding them to heal with the same care she always showed.

A Celebration of Donna’s life will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Garden Center of Loose Park, 5200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri. In true Donna fashion, the family invites guests to bring a story, maybe a prank to share and enjoy the roses.

In lieu of roses the family ask you to make donations to the Kansas City Rose Society an organization that she was a member of for many years or Cornerstones of Care, an organization that helps children experiencing foster care that Cheyenne worked at to continue Donna’s legacy of caring for children experiencing foster care.

Please ensure to put “in honor of Donna Kitterman” and check any boxes to ensure the family gets notified of your generous donation - Kansas City Rose Society: https://www.kansascityrosesociety.org/donate - Cornerstones of Care: https://www.cornerstonesofcare.org/donate/